Ask Dr. Nick
On today’s episode, Dr. Nick talks about cholesterol and how it should not be blamed for causing cardiovascular disease. High cholesterol has been termed a risk factor for CVD since the 1980’s when a landmark study came out of a population in Framingham, MA. However, there have been many studies since that support or refute this claim. High cholesterol, specifically low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), may be correlated with CVD, but it should not be considered the cause. There may be other factors that independently lead to CVD like inflammation and high insulin/blood glucose. Lipoproteins are made by the body to shuttle dietary and endogenous fats through the blood. They are all good and necessary for human life, and although LDL-C gets a bad rap, it is beneficial to repair and immune function. Check out the video for more in depth information on cholesterol, lipoproteins, atherosclerosis, and studies that ask more questions!
References:
Krumholz HM, Seeman TE, Merrill SS, et al. Lack of Association Between Cholesterol and Coronary Heart Disease Mortality and Morbidity and All-Cause Mortality in Persons Older Than 70 Years. JAMA. 1994;272(17):1335–1340.
Ravnskov U, de Lorgeril M, Diamond DM, et al. LDL-C does not cause cardiovascular disease: a comprehensive review of the current literature. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2018;11(10):959-970.
Kaysen GA, Ye X, Raimann JG, et al. Lipid levels are inversely associated with infectious and all-cause mortality: international MONDO study results. J Lipid Res. 2018;59(8):1519-1528. doi:10.1194/jlr.P084277.
Després JP, Lamarche B, Mauriège P, et al. Hyperinsulinemia as an independent risk factor for ischemic heart disease. N Engl J Med. 1996;334(15):952-957
